2000 Lives: The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory

I bought this book because I enjoy history. Please note that I used the word 'enjoy' and not 'know'. I like to watch the odd documentary and imagine what it would be like to be Cleopatra from time to time, please never ask me a serious history question. I spent most of my history lessons at school playing the Malteasers game*.

I don't know exactly what I was expecting, perhaps an easier to read Wolf Hall (which I loved), but I did not expect this...

Within the first few chapters I knew that I was going to struggle finishing this one. Don't worry, I did. I am incapable of leaving a book unfinished no matter how little I like it (See also The Yard by Neil Grecian Review).

There is absolutely no dimension to the main character and it's a problem. I just had to look up her name because I cared so little about her. Elizabeth is a female that wants power, she loves King Edward. That's pretty much the book. The first few chapters read as a chick lit set in ye olde days, which I know now does nothing to improve my chances of liking that genre. Once queenie has bagged her man, the rest of the book is her worrying about her husband as he goes away to fight endless battles. Later, she worries about which of her children will sit upon the throne.
Oh, and don't forget about the small side plot of her and her mother doing some witchy shiz by pulling threads out of a river. That REALLY rounds out the story...

Obviously, I know this book is based on historical fact, so certain events are solidified in the timeline, but there are just so many better examples of historical fiction, if that is what you are looking for. If you are looking for chick lit but with more expensive jewellery, then you might actually enjoy this book! There's love, and heartbreak, rivalry, and all the other things that go along with that style. This book is just really, really, not for me. As you can probably guess, I will not be reading the rest of the series.

An extra note of advice, if you want to read this, be aware that it is set around the time of the cousin's war, so although there are a good number of characters in the story, they are ALL called Richard, Edward, or George. Girls are named Elizabeth. This can become confusing if you are really not into the story.

Have you read The White Queen? What did you think?

*The malteasers game consists of making an obstacle course on your desks, from pencil cases, textbooks, whatever is to hand. Then, you and your desk friend proceed to blow malteasers from one side of the obstacle course to the other. Much skill is required, this is why I don't know who William the Conqueror is....

2000 Lives : A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby.

I picked this book up in a charity shop down Watford way, quite a while ago. It then sat on my shelf waiting in the long queue of books I hadn't got around to reading yet. I read and loved High Fidelity years ago, perhaps due to the music references, but I enjoyed the writing style as well. Obviously, I've also seen most of the film adaptation of About A Boy. How could I miss it when ITV2 replay it about 5 times a month? Not my favourite film, but not offensively bad either.

Aside from the price tag, and the fact it was written by Nick Hornby, what attracted me to this book was the subject. The briefest synopsis is this : four strangers meet on the roof of a building, they were all planning to jump off of it.

The narrative cycles through each character with every chapter, so we get a good insight into each of the character's reasons for wanting to kill themselves. All bases are covered, you've got a male and a female of both the young and the old variety. Actually I think that most people will be able to relate to at least one aspect of each person. Equally I found aspects of each character annoying too. On reflection, I guess this what you would call writing good, well-rounded characters.

I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, but obviously if they all jumped off the roof, there wouldn't be much of a book. So, I can say that not all, or maybe any, of them kick it at the beginning of the book. I enjoyed the subsequent interaction between four types of people that otherwise would never have met. I was also pleased that instead of just brushing suicide under the carpet as a convenient story starter, it is the main theme throughout. You may be thinking now 'this sounds depressing Laura, why should I read this?!'

Well buddy, firstly, let me defend depressing things, or in fact any thing that doesn't have your typical happy ending. It is much more advantageous to you as a person to learn about ALL aspects of humanity, because although fantasy worlds are nice from time to time, you do not live in one.
Secondly, this book is FUNNY. In a lot of places. Also, I guess, hopeful. The characters spend a lot of time trying to think of reasons for the others to go on living. So, that's quite nice.
Thirdly, if you are still struggling (although COME ON), there is a film adaptation. With Aaron Paul. I haven't watched it yet*, but maybe you should read the book before you get distracted in your swooning?

If you have read it, what did you think? Let me know, I'm always interested in other people's take of books.  

Next week - The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory

*It's on the list....

Fit Friday: Cassius Edition

And it's been a while! Since I could, something something blah....

Well, this week has been the complete opposite of fit, but for once through NO FAULT OF MY OWN. It was actually ALL Hannah's fault. She gave me a delightful cold and I've spent the entire week just trying to breathe. So, as you can imagine there hasn't been a whole lot of gym action this week, as in zero. I mostly haven't left bed. I have been going crazy.

Eating wise, it's been a bit shameful. I've not really tracked and I've not really cared. Illness is no time for restriction. I did have an orange though, yay VIT C.

So this week, I'd really like to work on getting back to it. The night before I fell ill with Hannah's devil flu, I printed all these geeky cool charts and tracking sheets off to stick on my wall. I was all raring to be motivated and awesome. Now, the first four days of each thing have horrible red zeroes and crosses on, so that's a little disheartening. However, it shouldn't be too difficult to rediscover my awesome.

I think the gym part will be the hardest. I normally only have 1 or 2 consecutive rest days, so 7 or 8 is going to be a bit of a challenge. Let's just hope I still remember how to do a squat...

How fit has your week been?